License To Authorisation: DoT Operationalises And Opens Up The Principal Service Authorisation Rules For Applications

Introduction

On 24 June 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) notified and operationalised the much-awaited Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026 (Rules), which forms the backbone of the core commercial telecom services in India. The Rules have been substantially revised from the erstwhile draft main service authorisation framework (Draft Rules) which was released in September 2025 for stakeholder comments (please see here for our update on the Draft Rules).

The Rules present a comprehensive authorisation framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (Telecom Act) to govern five categories of ‘principal’ (formerly known as “main”) telecom services: unified service, access service, wireline access service, internet service and long distance service authorisation (LDSA). Depending on the category, an eligibility entity may apply as a Network Service Operator (NSO) or a Virtual Network Operator (VNO).